Marvel comics now available in iBooks

Marvel comics has just pushed out a large set of their collected editions to Apple's iBookstore. The contents is what you're typically find in their softcover trade paperback editions, and mostly more recent fare, but there's some great stuff included.

Pricing is decent, between $6.99 for shorter volumes and $16.99 for classic Masterworks. No sign of larger collections (for example, Joss Whedon's phenomenal X-Men run is offered only as Vol 1. of 4 right now, not the entire 25 issue set that was in hardcover), nor the amazing Omnibuses. But one step at a time, right?

Marvel also says more's to come, so we have a lot to look forward to. If you're not sold on the digital format, you can even test drive a free copy of Brian Michael Bendis' New Avengers Vol. 1 -- for a limited time -- to see how you like it.

If you're into Marvel and use iBooks, I heartily recommend Astonishing X-Men by Whedon, Eternals and 1602 by Gaiman, Planet Hulk, Iron Man: Extremis by Ellis, Thor by JMS, Runaways, and Wolverine Enemy of the State and Old Man Logan by Millar. If you have any favorites, add them in the comments below.

Today, Marvel has entered a bold new era in digital comics. For the first time ever, classic stories—from the first appearance of the Avengers to the “death” of Captain America—will now be available for purchase on Apple’s iBookstore.

With an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, Marvel fans across the world can now purchase over 80 graphic novels with fan-favorite characters like Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Wolverine, Spider-Man and more by launching the iBooks app or going to www.itunes.com/marvelgraphicnovels.

Marvel Graphic Novels on Apple's iBookstore

The following is a complete list of available graphic novels at launch:

Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks Vol. 1

Astonishing X-Men Vol.1: Gifted

Avengers Assemble Vol. 1

Avengers Forever

Avengers Masterworks Vol.1

Avengers: Disassembled

Avengers: Kree /Skrull War

Avengers: Under Siege

Avengers/X-Men: Utopia

Captain America: The Death of Captain America Vol.1 - Death of the Dream

Captain America: Winter Soldier Vol.1

Captain America: Winter Soldier Vol.2

Castle: Richard Castle's Deadly Storm

Civil War

Dark Avengers Vol.1: Assemble

Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born

Deadpool Vol.1: Secret Invasion

Earth X

Emma

Ender's Game: Battle School

Ender's Game: Command School

Ender's Shadow: Battle School

Ender's Shadow: Command School

Eternals by Neil Gaiman

Fallen Son: Death of Captain America

Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman Vol.1

Ghost Rider Vol. 1: Vicious Cycle

House of M

Hulk Vol. 1: Red Hulk

Hulk: Planet Hulk

Infinity Gauntlet

Invincible Iron Man Vol. 1: Five Nightmares

Iron Man: Extremis

John Carter: A Princess of Mars

John Carter: World of Mars

Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman

Marvel Zombies

Mighty Avengers Vol.1: The Ultron Initiative

New Avengers Vol. 1: Breakout

New Avengers Vol. 2: The Sentry

New Avengers Vol. 3: Secrets and Lies

New Avengers Vol. 4: The Collective

New Avengers Vol. 5: Civil War

Pride and Prejudice

Runaways Vol. 1: Pride and Joy

Secret Invasion

Secret War

Secret Wars

Siege

Spider-Man: Big Time

Spider-Man: Blue

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Vol.1

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Vol.2

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Vol.3

Spider-Man: Crime and Punisher

Spider-Man: Kraven's First Hunt

Spider-Man: Maximum Carnage

Spider-Man: New Ways to Die

Thor by J. Michael Straczynski Vol. 1

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.1: Power and Responsibility

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.2: Learning Curve

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.3: Double Trouble

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.4: Legacy

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.5: Public Scrutiny

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.6: Venom

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.7: Irresponsible

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.8: Cats and Kings

Ultimate X-Men Vol. 1: The Tomorrow People

Ultimates Vol.1: Super-Human

Ultimates Vol.2: Homeland Security

Venom vs. Carnage

Wolverine: Enemy of the State

Wolverine: Old Man Logan

Wolverine: Weapon X Vol.1: Adamantium Men

Wonderful Wizard of Oz

World War Hulk

X-Force Vol. 1: Angels and Demons

X-Men: Messiah Complex

X-Men: Phoenix Endsong

X-Men: Second Coming

X-Necrosha

And that’s just for starters. Each week, more graphic novels will be added to the expanding Marvel IBookstore library, bringing to your iPad, IPhone, or iPod Touch a truly unique digital comic book reading experience that customers will never forget.
But don’t take our word for it. For a limited time, customers can read the first full issue of New Avengers Vol. 1: Breakout at the iBookstore…free of charge. For experienced comic book readers or casual fans alike, there’s something for everyone: action (X-Men: Messiah Complex), suspense (Secret Invasion), mysteries (Castle: Richard Castle’s Deadly Storm), literary adaptations (Pride & Prejudice), children’s tales (Wonderful Wizard of Oz) and more!

I will return to the Marvel app if and when I can use a Marvel Unlimieted subscription with it. Until then, the prices for single and collected editions are just too high, and have no collectible value.

If they would stop dragging their feet and let their Digital Comics Unlimited subscription be used on the iPad, I'd be happy to sink the money into their pockets for digital comics. But they still have it as website only. Lame.

I read the comic (yay free comics!), and the iBooks interface just sucks for this medium. The Marvel app is far better, as is the DC and Comixology apps. The way the comic is laid out in the iBooks setting is very clunky and not very conducive to reading. I'll stick to the Marvel app and hope they integrate digital comics unlimited sometime soon.

I have no idea how I missed this article the first time around. This may be the most significant piece of genre news I've heard all year. New Worlds was a seminal magazine that expanded the genre beyond anyone's wildest dreams. Here's hoping the reincarnation can do the same.